Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

"What are you talking about? Go to sleep, you have to go to work tomorrow." Lou Xiao'e's cheeks flushed slightly, she glared at Yang Wei reproachfully, and turned off the bedside lamp.

The room was plunged into darkness, with only the cool moonlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains onto the bed.

Although Yang Wei said he was going to sleep, his hands were still busy, gently resting on Lou Xiao'e's waist, feeling his wife's body temperature, while his mind was still thinking about other things.

These days, having a baby is indeed a top priority, especially in a courtyard house where there are many gossipy people.

Someone like Qin Huairu is probably gossiping about Lou Xiao'e behind her back. However, as he advised, the more anxious you are, the worse it will be; if you relax, the child will come naturally.

As for Sha Zhu, he's probably so happy he could practically snot bubble from his nose when he learns that Qin Huairu is pregnant.

This puts a weight off his mind. Sha Zhu now has his own offspring and should no longer be drained of his blood by Qin Huairu like he was in his previous life.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Yang Wei got up as usual, washed up, and rode his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

As soon as I entered the workshop, I saw Sha Zhu with a ruddy complexion, walking with a brisk pace, humming an unknown tune, carrying a lunchbox, and nodding happily to everyone he met.

"Hey, Zhu Zi, found some money this early in the morning?" Yang Wei walked over and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

Upon seeing Yang Wei, Sha Zhu immediately approached, lowering his voice but unable to hide the smile in his eyes: "Wei Zi, I won't hide it from you anymore, Xiu Qin is pregnant! I have an heir!"

"That's great news! Congratulations!" Yang Wei sincerely congratulated her. "I'll have Xiao'e send Xiuqin some more tonics later. Getting pregnant these days isn't easy, she needs to take care of herself."

"Of course! We're like brothers!" Sha Zhu chuckled, then seemed to remember something, his expression turning slightly serious. "By the way, Wei Zi, there's something I need to remind you of."

"What's up?"

"It's that bastard Xu Damao." Sha Zhu looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before saying, "When I came home from get off work last night, I saw him whispering with some shady characters at the alley entrance. You know, Maosheng is usually a scoundrel, and it seems like his girlfriend broke up with him recently. I reckon he's up to something again."

Yang Wei frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had felt something was off when he saw the light on in Xu Damao's room last night, and he hadn't expected that the guy was really up to no good.

"Who is he with?" Yang Wei asked.

"They looked like thugs from Nanluoguxiang. The leader was called something like 'Er Lengzi,' and he made a living by stealing chickens and dogs," Sha Zhu recalled. "I didn't hear what they were saying, but I heard things like 'teach them a lesson' and 'don't kill anyone.'"

"Teach him a lesson?" Yang Wei sneered. "This Xu Damao seems to be asking for trouble. Besides him, who else in this courtyard has such a deep grudge against him? Could it be that he's planning to harm me and Xiao'e?"

"It's probably not that bad. He wouldn't dare even if you gave him two lives." Sha Zhu shook his head. "But you can't be too careful. This kid has been really upset about Lou Xiao'e lately, and with his girlfriend's situation, who knows how twisted he might be."

"Okay, I got it. Thanks, Zhuzi." Yang Wei patted Sha Zhu's arm. "Go on and get busy. Don't do any heavy work today. Go back and keep Xiuqin company."

"Alright! I'm off then." Silly Zhu walked away happily.

Watching Sha Zhu's retreating figure, Yang Wei narrowed his eyes. Xu Damao, that kind of despicable person, was like a rat in the gutter; he might not amount to much, but he could still cause trouble every now and then. Since he was so reckless as to cause trouble, it was better to take this opportunity to thoroughly subdue him.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the workshop entrance.

"Yang Wei! Is Yang Wei there?"

It was Old Liu from the security department.

Yang Wei's heart skipped a beat. He put down his work and went out: "Brother Liu, what's wrong?"

Old Liu, panting heavily, saw Yang Wei and his expression turned strange: "Yang Wei, someone is looking for you at the factory gate. They say... they say they are relatives from your hometown, and they brought a lot of things."

"Relatives from the countryside?" Yang Wei was taken aback. Where would he get relatives from the countryside? Could it be...?

"Let's go take a look." Yang Wei patted the oil off his hands and followed Lao Liu toward the factory gate.

Upon arriving at the factory gate, Yang Wei immediately spotted a man and a woman standing there.

The man, dressed in a faded Zhongshan suit, was pushing a worn-out bicycle with two bulging burlap sacks strapped to the back. The woman, wearing a floral cotton-padded jacket and carrying a basket, was peering tentatively into the factory.

Upon seeing the two people, Yang Wei was taken aback at first, then a surprised smile appeared on his face.

"Dad! Mom! What brings you here?!"

That's right, it was Yang Wei's parents from this world. Although they weren't his biological parents, since he had transmigrated into this identity, Yang Wei accepted their kinship.

"What's wrong? Not welcome?" Yang's father smiled as he propped up the bicycle and looked Yang Wei up and down. "Good lad, you've gotten even stronger these past few months! Looks like the food at the factory is pretty good."

"Of course not, I'm overjoyed!" Yang Wei quickly went to greet her, took the bicycle, and said, "Mom, you must be exhausted from the journey. Come on, come inside and rest for a while."

Looking at her son, Yang's mother smiled broadly: "I'm not tired, I just missed you. We just harvested some peanuts and red dates, and your father even went up the mountain to hunt a pheasant. I'm bringing them to you right away."

Yang Wei felt a warmth in his heart. These days, people at home are reluctant to eat anything good, saving it all for their son who works in the city.

"Let's go home! Xiao'e is home too, let's have a good family gathering tonight," Yang Wei said as he pushed the cart.

As for Xu Damao's affair, he had temporarily put it out of his mind. However, now that his parents were here, the courtyard was bound to become lively again. Those beasts, seeing relatives from the countryside, who knows what they would say about them.

Especially Xu Damao, if he dares to cause trouble at this time, Yang Wei wouldn't mind letting him know what "misfortunes never come singly" means.

Nothing happened that night, and the next day, Yang Wei went to work feeling refreshed.

As the honorary deputy factory director, Yang Wei's workload increased. Although he was no longer in charge of any specific tasks, he was required to attend the daily meetings that needed to be attended by deputy factory directors.

Meetings at this time are generally quite boring. The production tasks are the same, the products are the same, so there's nothing new or interesting to discuss.

Yang Wei was a little curious when he first participated, but after listening, he became drowsy.

After the meeting ended, Yang Wei followed Director Wang into his office.

"Factory manager, may I make a request to you?" Yang Wei asked as he entered the room.

"Tell me, you have no idea. When I took out that certificate and showed it to our clients, they were all absolutely shocked!" Factory Manager Wang said excitedly, clearly in a great mood.

"Now the whole of Beijing knows that our steel rolling mill has produced a head chef for state banquets, and everyone is making arrangements to come and taste your cooking."

"They'll be arriving in a few days. You'll have to put in the work and show your true skills to entertain them well."

"In that case, not only can we complete our factory's production target ahead of schedule this year, but we might even exceed it by the end of the year!!"

Factory Director Wang said excitedly. Hearing his excitement, Yang Wei's face immediately lit up with a happy smile...

"Factory manager, if that's the case, then do you think I don't need to attend this meeting anymore?"

"You see, I don't have any specific responsibilities. Even if I go, I'll just be an observer. So, from now on, I'll be in charge of the cafeteria area. How about that?"

Yang Wei said very sincerely.

However, to Director Wang, these words sounded like a demand for power.

"That's easy. Just tell me which area you want to be in charge of, and I can agree to it right now."

Can an honorary deputy factory director become a real deputy factory director?

"Your abilities have been personally praised by the leadership, and I'm willing to delegate authority to someone as talented as you!"

Factory Director Wang said this in a very generous manner.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei's face fell. He knew that if he said that, Director Wang would definitely think the same thing.

Yang Wei refused even when Yang Yourong's father, a high-ranking official, approached him, wanting him to help. How could he possibly agree to help a small steel rolling mill?

Taking a deep breath, Yang Wei said solemnly, "Factory Director, I'm just a cook. I'm really not suited for management work, much less for participating in the factory's production. If you hadn't already announced it over the loudspeaker throughout the factory, I wouldn't have been able to refuse. I don't even want this honorary deputy factory director position."

"I just want to cook quietly, I really don't have any other thoughts."

"So, I sincerely hope that you, factory manager, can consider my suggestion. I will only be in charge of the canteen, and I will not participate in anything else." "Is that alright?"

Upon hearing Yang Wei speak like this, Director Wang could indeed tell that it wasn't a lie, but the truth.

A look of confusion crossed his eyes as he asked, "Are you really not interested in being a manager?"

"I really don't want to, I just want to cook quietly."

"Alright, then you go back first and let me think about it." Factory Director Wang didn't agree immediately, but said he would think about it.

This thought immediately sent a shiver down Yang Wei's spine.

His worst fears came true. This wasn't something Factory Director Wang did on a whim; it was someone deliberately orchestrating it from behind the scenes.

As for who it is? There are only two parties: the Yang family and the big leader.

As for who it is, that's no longer important.

Because Yang Wei's name has already been remembered. This represents both opportunity and even greater, continuous trouble!

Yang Wei didn't know how Director Wang communicated with the higher-ups.

In short, starting the next day, Yang Wei no longer needed to attend the factory's high-level meetings.

This brought a sigh of relief to some of the deputy factory directors who had been on tenterhooks, fearing that Yang Wei would take their positions and seize their power.

Carrying the imposing presence and prestige of a head chef for state banquets.

If the factory manager insists on putting Yang Wei in charge of the work...

These people couldn't find any reason to stop him, so they could only let Yang Wei take up the post.

Seeing this result, my anxiety of the past few days has finally subsided.

Yang Wei breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving this news.

It seems that the person behind it all knew Yang Wei's intentions.

I will no longer insist.

Yang Wei left the factory director's office, having figured out the ins and outs of the situation.

He thought to himself that if the factory manager didn't agree, he would even resign.

They will no longer get involved.

Now he gets to know so many chefs through state banquets.

Even if you quit your job, no matter where you go, you can't find a job to support your family.

Moreover, let's not forget that Yang Wei had tens of thousands of yuan in cash on hand at that time.

Even if you don't have a job.

That should be enough for him to keep going for a year and a half.

There will absolutely not be a situation where people have to eat coarse food and wild vegetables.

Besides, Lou Xiao'e's father was his last resort. If all else failed, finding something to do with him wouldn't be easy.

Therefore, Yang Wei really doesn't have to worry about finding a job.

This is also the source of Yang Wei's confidence in challenging those people.

Although this bit of confidence is worthless in front of those people.

However, this was exactly what Yang Wei wanted them to know.

He was very certain about Yang Wei's personal information.

These people must have acquired it long ago.

Furthermore, they conducted a thorough and meticulous investigation into his life.

Otherwise, given the sudden emergence of such a prodigy...

They wouldn't feel comfortable using it.

For the next period of time, everything was calm and uneventful.

The day after Sha Zhu told Yang Wei about his wife Wu Xiuqin's pregnancy, he told her.

Naturally, he offered his congratulations.

I went to see my grandfather on Friday, had some food and drinks with him, and listened to him give a lecture.

I returned home late at night.

Sunday arrived in the blink of an eye.

That day, Yang Wei finished breakfast.

After telling Lou Xiao'e, I didn't ride a bicycle, but took the bus straight to the big boss's house.

I'm going to get that phonograph back today.

Riding a bicycle is inconvenient, and if possible, Yang Wei was thinking of asking the higher-ups to send a car to take him back.

Or perhaps you'd rather endure the hardship yourself and carry it back with both hands.

After a lot of trouble.

We finally arrived at the villa just before nine o'clock.

This time, the big boss wasn't really free; instead, he had a group of people accompanying him in a meeting.

Aunt Liu received Yang Wei.

"Boss, we're entertaining some important guests right now. Please stay here and listen to some music. If you want tea, please help yourself. We might have lunch here, so it's good that you're here."

"You must show your true skills. I heard you're the head chef for the state banquet this time, you can't let me down, you understand?" Aunt Liu instructed.

The tone of his voice had already changed somewhat.

The same attitude that elders have towards younger generations.

This shows that Yang Wei has completely won over the other person's heart and become someone they trust completely.

"Okay, don't worry."

"I was able to attend the state banquet thanks to the top leader, so how could I not show my true abilities?"

"Leave the lunch to me!"

Yang Wei assured him.

"It's all settled. I trust you to handle things!"

After saying that, Aunt Liu turned and left.

Go and busy yourself with other things.

Yang Wei first turned on the phonograph, put in the record of the Symphony of Fate, and shook it twice.

Then the stylus was lowered.

A pleasant sound rang out from inside the room.

He listened while finding a teacup, taking out the leader's fine tea, pouring in hot water, and sitting on the sofa.

They started to enjoy it.

Taking such a phonograph back would definitely free Lou Xiao'e from worrying about her pregnancy and child every day.

"Today, no matter what, we have to get this back."

"This can be considered a small compensation from Lao Xu (the big boss) for leaking my information without my consent."

"If this happened in the 90s, I would be grateful to you. But what era are we living in now? You're deliberately trying to trick me!"

He was thinking about how to negotiate with the big boss later.

Sipping tea and listening to music.

To be honest, it really does have a bit of a bourgeois lifestyle vibe.

Yang Wei still hadn't seen the high-ranking leader by lunchtime.

The guests who were with him also didn't finish their conversation with him.

With no other option, Yang Wei had to turn off the phonograph.

He got up and walked towards the kitchen.

Looking at the abundance of ingredients in the kitchen, Yang Wei had no choice but to start cooking.

A short while later, Aunt Liu, who had heard the noise from the kitchen, came in again.

"Xiao Yang, the talks with the leader aren't over yet."

"Don't leave after you finish cooking. The boss specifically instructed me to speak with you."

"There are six people in total today, so you only need to prepare eight dishes."